Cultivating (Bio)Diversity: Seeding Our Stories, Growing Our Power

Cultivating (Bio)diversity: Seeding Our Cultivating (Bio)diversity: Seeding Our Stories, Growing Our Power. Stories, Growing Our Power. Women, Food, and Agriculture Network Women, Food, and Agriculture Network 2020 Annual Conference 2020 Annual Conference

2020 Conference Goals 2020 Conference Goals Build and strengthen anti-oppression knowledge, initiatives, and action Build and strengthen anti-oppression knowledge, initiatives, and action through training, reflection, and collaboration. through training, reflection, and collaboration. Provide practical farm-based educational opportunities for beginning Provide practical farm-based educational opportunities for beginning through seasoned agrarians, landowners, and food systems advocates. through seasoned agrarians, landowners, and food systems advocates. Increase our capacity as land caretakers to define, create, and implement Increase our capacity as land caretakers to define, create, and implement practices rooted in ecological justice. practices rooted in ecological justice. Offer intentional spaces for critical dialogue, networking, coalition build- Offer intentional spaces for critical dialogue, networking, coalition building, and story-sharing. ing, and story-sharing.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! WELCOME FRIENDS! 2020 has been a hard year for many in our WFAN community. The COVID 19 pandemic 19 a been hard has year for our WFANCOVID 2020 in many The community. Power. Our Stories, Growing Our (Bio)diversity: Seeding conference, Cultivating foryou forus joining our 2020 Thank friends, WFAN and members, allies, (she/hers) WFANKruzic, DirectorInterimAhna Executive gratitude, deep With Iyour us. time canwith for spending you together.to community continue Thank we work do the this weekend, And of building yond on stories, conservation our telling incorporated agricultural practices in another one ported farmers,aid to mutual supportedto coordinated aspiring respond and farmers trained have we Together, to mostcontinue inspire. Perhaps members WFAN importantly, leaders. community(bio)diverse, to this together.year We are responding is at immense. community But That WFAN,here of power know the we our communities. in supremacy of due togrief violence white ongoing the outrage and our members in join Meanwhile, Iowawe acres alone. in storm, million of over farmland powerful 10 damaging an unusually experienced midwest the members acrosseconomies. tural our August, In injustices our agricul- and exacerbates challenges characterizing existing the and highlights - farm and in tenant leases, and advocated leases, tenant and be- in forfarm our and communities and racial justice in —

to a name highlights. few

- centered food and agricultural system women agricultural are centered foodstrong which and in

’ t wait to see what unfolds this weekend and beyond. this weekend t seeunfolds wait to what ’ s challenges, and continuing to a vibrant, and build challenges, s

’ s why swe why ’ needs, sup- needs, ’ re here, re here,

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! WELCOME FRIENDS! our our communities. supremacy in of due to grief violence white ongoing the outrage our and members in join Meanwhile, acresIowa storm, we alone. in million ofover powerful farmland 10 damaging an unusually experienced midwest the members economies.acrosstural our August, In injustices our exacerbatesagricul- and challenges existing characterizing and the highlights pandemic a been hardhas 19 year for our WFAN2020 COVID in many The community. Power. Our Stories, Growing Our (Bio)diversity: Seeding conference, Cultivating foryou forus joining Thank our 2020 friends, WFAN and members, allies, (she/hers) WFANKruzic, Ahna InterimDirector Executive gratitude, deep With your us. timeI canwith for spending to you together. continue communitywe do workThank the And this weekend, of building yond on stories, telling conservation our agricultural incorporated in practices another one ported farmers,aid supportedto mutual coordinated aspiring to and respond farmers trained have Together, we tomostcontinue inspire. Perhaps members importantly, WFAN leaders. community(bio)diverse, to together. this year We are responding atis But community here WFAN,immense. That of know power the we - farm and in tenant leases, and advocated leases, tenant and be- in forfarm our and communities and racial justice in —

to a name highlights. few

- centered food and agricultural system women agricultural are centered foodstrong which and in

’ t wait to see what unfolds this weekend and beyond. this weekend unfolds t see what to wait ’ s challenges, and continuing to a vibrant, and build challenges, s

’ s why swe why ’ needs, sup- needs, ’ re here, re here,

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS SCHEDULE OF EVENTS ALL TIMES ARE LISTED IN EASTERN STANDARD TIME. ALL TIMES ARE LISTED IN EASTERN STANDARD TIME.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6th ACTIVITY/WORKSHOP FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6th ACTIVITY/WORKSHOP 10:00-10:30 AM Whova 101: Navigating the Virtual Confer- 10:00-10:30 AM Whova 101: Navigating the Virtual Confer- ence Landscape ence Landscape

11:00-11:30 AM WFAN Interim ED Welcome Addr ess 11:00-11:30 AM WFAN Interim ED Welcome Addr ess

1:00-2:00 PM Workshop 1: Reclaiming Our Agriculture 1:00-2:00 PM Workshop 1: Reclaiming Our Agriculture Narratives as Women of Color Narratives as Women of Color

Workshop 2: Organic Agriculture: Claiming Workshop 2: Organic Agriculture: Claiming Your Farm’s Autonomy Your Farm’s Autonomy

Workshop 3: Exploring Farmer Social Sus- Workshop 3: Exploring Farmer Social Sus- tainability Practices tainability Practices 2:00-3:00 PM Workshop 1: Create a Media Kit that Brings 2:00-3:00 PM Workshop 1: Create a Media Kit that Brings Publicity to Your Farm Publicity to Your Farm

Workshop 2: Creating a Buzz! - Introduction Workshop 2: Creating a Buzz! - Introduction to Pollinators to Pollinators 2:00-3:30 PM Workshop 1: Supporting Beneficial Birds and 2:00-3:30 PM Workshop 1: Supporting Beneficial Birds and Managing Pest Birds Managing Pest Birds

Workshop 2: Cultivating Your Relationship Workshop 2: Cultivating Your Relationship with Land with Land 4:00-5:00 PM Workshop 1: Roadmap to Your Farm - Access- 4:00-5:00 PM Workshop 1: Roadmap to Your Farm - Access- ing Land and Capital ing Land and Capital

Workshop 2: Fronteriza FarmHers Workshop 2: Fronteriza FarmHers

Workshop 3: Making USDA Work for You: Workshop 3: Making USDA Work for You: Opportunities to Engage and Contribute Your Opportunities to Engage and Contribute Your Voice Voice 7:00-9:00 PM Movie and Discussion: GATHER 7:00-9:00 PM Movie and Discussion: GATHER Get your free ticket to our confer ence movie Get your free ticket to our confer ence movie night screening of the documentary GATHER night screening of the documentary GATHER at this link: https://story-spaces.com/events/ at this link: https://story-spaces.com/events/ gather-yr2okb. gather-yr2okb. HAVE A GREAT NIGHT! HAVE A GREAT NIGHT! SCHEDULE OF EVENTS SCHEDULE OF EVENTS ALL TIMES ARE LISTED IN EASTERN STANDARD TIME. ALL TIMES ARE LISTED IN EASTERN STANDARD TIME.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7th WORKSHOP/ACTIVITY SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7th WORKSHOP/ACTIVITY 9:00-10:00 AM Live Yoga 9:00-10:00 AM Live Yoga 10:00-11:00 AM Affinity Groups 10:00-11:00 AM Affinity Groups 11:00-12:00 PM Keynote Address: Sikowis, aka, Christine 11:00-12:00 PM Keynote Address: Sikowis, aka, Christine Nobiss Nobiss 12:00-1:00 PM Lunch Award Cer emony 12:00-1:00 PM Lunch Award Cer emony 1:00-2 :00 PM Workshop 1: Food Banks: Feeding Local Com- 1:00-2 :00 PM Workshop 1: Food Banks: Feeding Local Com- munities During a Global Pandemic and Other munities During a Global Pandemic and Other Natural Disasters Natural Disasters

Workshop 2: Regenerating the Land and Native Workshop 2: Regenerating the Land and Native Communities with Bison: Partnerships for Pro- Communities with Bison: Partnerships for Pro- gress gress

Workshop 3: Starting a Business or Nonprofit: Workshop 3: Starting a Business or Nonprofit: The Legal Basics The Legal Basics 1:00 PM-2:30 PM Workshop 1: Land Access and Rural Vitality 1:00 PM-2:30 PM Workshop 1: Land Access and Rural Vitality Workshop 2: H arnessing Your Power Amidst Workshop 2: H arnessing Your Power Amidst Uncertainty and Change: A Storytelling Practice Uncertainty and Change: A Storytelling Practice Workshop Workshop 2:30 PM-3:30 PM Affinity Groups 2:30 PM-3:30 PM Affinity Groups 3:30 PM-4:30 PM WFAN Board of Directors: Meet and Greet! 3:30 PM-4:30 PM WFAN Board of Directors: Meet and Greet! SEE YOU IN 2021! SEE YOU IN 2021!

FOR MORE CONFERENCE INFORMATION, PLEASE VIST: FOR MORE CONFERENCE INFORMATION, PLEASE VIST: https://wfan.org/2020-wfan-annual-conference-1 https://wfan.org/2020-wfan-annual-conference-1 Workshop Descriptions in your work. your in you grounds and motivates that story empowering craft an to start and time, this in power your harness can you how consider experiences, own your on you workshop, this In communities. and work their within agents change as impact their Workshop: Practice A Storytelling Change: and Uncertainty Power Amidst Your Harnessing Long Rachael and Baumgartner Ann insects. beneficial as the way same in production with help can birds cial pest reduce be may to able they to crops, closer them bring and birds beneficial for habitat provide farmers When birds. pest and rodents, insects, control pest help can birds beneficial how farmers educate Pest Birds: Managing and Birds Beneficial Supporting landowners. and farmers organic aspiring knowledge facilitate To farm systems. organic resilient, building for and mentors resources with leave will Attendees organic. certified becoming and practices production organic adopting to and perspectives barriers perceived on facilitate a discussion will Your Farm Claiming Agriculture: Organic the process. in fun and it, have regenerate it, appreciate more deeply, the land to know get you to help and practices tools, assessment stories, lessons, share will Design Ecological steward. you land with connection a deeper to cultivate strategies Land: with Your Relationship Cultivating landowners. for tions the pollinator of version to a free, electronic access will get Attendees the pollinators. of plight the with to help do can you what and shrubs, and trees with opportunities estry thrive, agrofor- to need they what face, they threats are, the pollinators what a Buzz! Creating pandemic. a global clients during of number growing the to addition in evacuees wildfire of thousands serve to immediately pivot quick Harvest explore Second also will We members. community of thousands and agencies of hundreds serve to in order place into put organization the systems food distribution the successful and the nation, in oldest second the and California in bank food first the Cruz Santa County, Bank of Food Harvest disasters: natural other pandemic a global during communities local Feeding Banks: Food ready. at the images have always you so archival practices and photography also discuss We'll journalists. with them share to and kits how media of components the Learn to start. the place is kit A media story? tell your accurately they insure farm and your to press the Farm: Your to Publicity Brings that Kit Media Create a Polanco Garcìa Vanessa our industry. in representation and equity advance to power collective our we build agriculture and food in stakeholders as color of women of voices the highlighting further By narratives. their to communicate tools the them giving by food and agriculture in color of women of the power harvest to aims Color: of Women as Narratives Agriculture Our Reclaiming

Kasey Armstrong Kasey Armstrong ’ ll be guided through activities that will help you pause to reflect to pause you will help that activities through be guided ll -

Paula Westmoreland and Lindsay Rebhan. Lindsay and Paula Westmoreland Introduction to Pollinators: Pollinators: to Introduction This workshop is for professionals who want to increase to increase want who for professionals is workshop This Fluegel Debbie - sharing the target audience includes experienced and and experienced includes target audience the sharing “ toolkit This session will take an in will an take session This

” of useful information, publications, and op- and publications, information, useful of

Diahann Lohr Diahann Emily Newman Emily Newman ’ Take this opportunity to learn learn to opportunity this Take s Autonomy: s Autonomy: This workshop will explore explore will workshop This - depth look at Second at Second look depth - control costs. Benefi- costs. control

Emily Jane Freed Emily Jane Looking to attract attract to Looking This session will will session This Emily Newman Newman Emily This session session This

and and ’ Jo Jo s

Workshop Descriptions them with journalists. We'll also discuss photography and archival practices archival practices and photography also discuss We'll journalists. with them share to and kits how media of components the Learn to start. the place is kit A media story? tell your accurately they insure farm and your to press the Farm: Your to Publicity Brings that Kit Media Create a Polanco Garcìa Vanessa our industry. in representation and equity advance to power collective our we build agriculture and food in stakeholders as color of women of voices the highlighting further By narratives. their to communicate tools the them giving by food and agriculture in color of women of the power harvest to aims Color: of Women as Narratives Agriculture Our Reclaiming in your work. your in you grounds and motivates that story empowering craft an to start and time, this in power your harness can you how consider experiences, own your on you workshop, this In communities. and work their within agents change as impact their Workshop: Practice A Storytelling Change: and Uncertainty Power Amidst Your Harnessing Long Rachael and Baumgartner Ann insects. beneficial as the way same in production with help can birds cial pest reduce be may to able they to crops, closer them bring and birds beneficial for habitat provide farmers When birds. pest and rodents, insects, control pest help can birds beneficial how farmers educate Pest Birds: Managing and Birds Beneficial Supporting landowners. and farmers organic aspiring knowledge facilitate To farm systems. organic resilient, building for and mentors resources with leave will Attendees organic. certified becoming and practices production organic adopting to and perspectives barriers perceived on facilitate a discussion will Your Farm Claiming Agriculture: Organic the process. in fun and it, have regenerate it, appreciate more deeply, the land to know get you to help and practices tools, assessment stories, lessons, share will Design Ecological steward. you land with connection a deeper to cultivate strategies Land: with Your Relationship Cultivating landowners. for tions the pollinator of version to a free, electronic access will get Attendees the pollinators. of plight the with to help do can you what and shrubs, and trees with opportunities estry thrive, agrofor- to need they what face, they threats are, the pollinators what a Buzz! Creating pandemic. a global clients during of number growing the to addition in evacuees wildfire of thousands serve to immediately pivot quick Harvest explore Second also will We members. community of thousands and agencies of hundreds serve to in order place into put organization the systems food distribution the successful and the nation, in oldest second the and California in bank food first the Cruz Santa County, Bank of Food Harvest disasters: natural other pandemic a global during communities local Feeding Banks: Food ready. at the images have always you so

Kasey Armstrong Kasey Armstrong ’ ll be guided through activities that will help you pause to reflect to pause you will help that activities through be guided ll -

” of useful information, publications, and op- and publications, information, useful of

Emily Jane Freed Emily Jane Looking to attract attract to Looking This session will will session This Emily Newman Newman Emily This session session This

and and ’ Jo Jo s

Workshop Descriptions tual property are all essential to a successful business. business. to a successful are all essential property tual intellec- to protect how and issues, employment leases, contracts, Understanding be you should structure business exciting is nonprofit Basics: Legal The Nonprofit: or a Business Starting Lin Esther bell and ment Depart- the of and programs policies shape the to involved get can producers how show and Agriculture, of US Department the within ranchers and farmers to Voice: Your Contribute and Engage to Opportunities You: Work for USDA Making Noble Native generative a re- to build sectors across partnerships building while their learned lessons on Progress: for Partnerships Bison: with Communities Native and Land the Regenerating panel. and Dominguez tri of our contexts cal and politi- geographic while navigating fruition, to farm vision their bring to access re has farmHer each how Explore Desert. Chihuahuan the in lenges chal- and practices regenerative different their about collaboration stories of and FarmHers: Fronteriza Breckbill. vitality. and rural access land of vision a collective will develop pants partici- and tenure, and ownership land of visions and alternative the realities both discussion This farmers. beginning facing challenge Vitality: Rural and Access Land Bouwman are in. they of development stage matter what no forward steps and starting points clear with away come will audience The farm business. your for tors and inves- landowners with relationships and creating finding in success achieve to steps the to provide is goal The farms. struggling and farmers beginning to Your Farm to Roadmap connections. mind/body/spirit make meaningful and mechanisms coping and stress personal assess to participants will guide We sustainability. social and communal own their to use develop can educators farmer and farmers three techniques practice will Practices: Sustainability Social Farmer Exploring —

from their local county to the national level. level. the national to county local their from available opportunities engagement the numerous present will session This

This panel will discuss developments from Tanka and share resources resources share and from Tanka willdevelopments discuss panel This

Rachel Tayse and Fiona Doherty Doherty Fiona and Rachel Tayse - owned business. business. owned --

- but there are many legal issues to consider. What kind of kind What to consider. issues legal many are but there state, state, bi Chihuahuan Desert fronteriza farmHers share reflections reflections share farmHers fronteriza Desert Chihuahuan

Accessing Land and Capital: Capital: and Land Accessing - national Paso del Norte borderlands. Norte borderlands. Paso del national -- Land access is frequently cited as the biggest biggest the as cited frequently is access Land sole proprietor, partnership, LLC, nonprofit? LLC, nonprofit? partnership, proprietor, sole Dawn Sherman, Kerri McClimen, & Marilyn & Marilyn McClimen, Sherman, Kerri Dawn

Lindsay Mutegi, Sarah Camp- Sarah Mutegi, Lindsay - based session will touch on touch will session based This experiential workshop workshop experiential This

Amy Cook Cook Amy Starting a business or or a business Starting This session is targeted targeted is session This

Cristina - Karen imagined land land imagined Hannah Hannah

Workshop Descriptions achieve success in finding and creating relationships with landowners and and inves- landowners with relationships and creating finding in success achieve to steps the to provide is goal The farms. struggling and farmers beginning to Your Farm to Roadmap connections. mind/body/spirit make meaningful and mechanisms coping and stress personal assess to participants will guide We sustainability. social and communal own their to use develop can educators farmer and farmers three techniques practice will Practices: Sustainability Social Farmer Exploring tual property are all essential to a successful business. business. to a successful are all essential property tual intellec- to protect how and issues, employment leases, contracts, Understanding be you should structure business exciting is nonprofit Basics: Legal The Nonprofit: or a Business Starting Lin Esther bell and ment Depart- the of and programs policies shape the to involved get can producers how show and Agriculture, of US Department the within ranchers and farmers to Voice: Your Contribute and Engage to Opportunities You: Work for USDA Making Noble Native generative a re- to build sectors across partnerships building while their learned lessons on Progress: for Partnerships Bison: with Communities Native and Land the Regenerating panel. and Dominguez tri of our contexts cal and politi- geographic while navigating fruition, to farm vision their bring to access re has farmHer each how Explore Desert. Chihuahuan the in lenges chal- and practices regenerative different their about collaboration stories of and FarmHers: Fronteriza Breckbill. vitality. and rural access land of vision a collective will develop pants partici- and tenure, and ownership land of visions and alternative the realities both discussion This farmers. beginning facing challenge Vitality: Rural and Access Land Bouwman are in. they of development stage matter what no forward steps and starting points clear with away come will audience The farm business. your for tors —

from their local county to the national level. level. the national to county local their from available opportunities engagement the numerous present will session This

This panel will discuss developments from Tanka and share resources resources share and from Tanka willdevelopments discuss panel This

Rachel Tayse and Fiona Doherty Doherty Fiona and Rachel Tayse - owned business. business. owned --

but there are many legal issues to consider. What kind of kind What to consider. issues legal many are but there - state, bi state, Chihuahuan Desert fronteriza farmHers share reflections reflections share farmHers fronteriza Desert Chihuahuan

Lindsay Mutegi, Sarah Camp- Sarah Mutegi, Lindsay - based session will touch on touch will session based This experiential workshop workshop experiential This

Amy Cook Cook Amy Starting a business or or a business Starting This session is targeted targeted is session This

Cristina - Karen imagined land land imagined Hannah Hannah PRESENTER BIOGRAPHIES PRESENTER BIOGRAPHIES

Rachel Tayse: For over a decade, Rachel has educated about and advocated for culturally-relevant, Rachel Tayse: For over a decade, Rachel has educated about and advocated for culturally-relevant, inclusive sustainable agriculture food systems. She currently works as the Begin Farming Program Coordi- inclusive sustainable agriculture food systems. She currently works as the Begin Farming Program Coordi- nator for the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association where she facilitates and delivers programming nator for the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association where she facilitates and delivers programming and technical assistance to beginning farmers. Rachel farms two acres of diversified produce and perenni- and technical assistance to beginning farmers. Rachel farms two acres of diversified produce and perenni- als at her home in Columbus, Ohio. als at her home in Columbus, Ohio.

Fiona Doherty: Fiona is a graduate student at The Ohio State University pursuing her Masters and PhD Fiona Doherty: Fiona is a graduate student at The Ohio State University pursuing her Masters and PhD at the College of Social Work. She is passionate about the intersection of food systems and social work at the College of Social Work. She is passionate about the intersection of food systems and social work with a particular focus on farmer mental health and well-being. Fiona is collaborating with The Ohio Ecologi- with a particular focus on farmer mental health and well-being. Fiona is collaborating with The Ohio Ecologi- cal Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) to implement a needs assessment and asset mapping research cal Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) to implement a needs assessment and asset mapping research project of beginning farmer mental health in Ohio project of beginning farmer mental health in Ohio

Karen Bouwman: Karen founded Big Head Farm in 2009. With only her passion to produce healthy, Karen Bouwman: Karen founded Big Head Farm in 2009. With only her passion to produce healthy, organic foods for her local community she started from nothing. She bootstrapped her way from zero acres organic foods for her local community she started from nothing. She bootstrapped her way from zero acres in year one, to over 70 acres by year three, while securing investments and grants of over $2 million in land in year one, to over 70 acres by year three, while securing investments and grants of over $2 million in land and capital. All of this by building relationships and sharing her story with the community around her. and capital. All of this by building relationships and sharing her story with the community around her.

Hannah Breckbill: Hannah Breckbill is co-owner of Humble Hands Harvest, a diversified worker-owned Hannah Breckbill: Hannah Breckbill is co-owner of Humble Hands Harvest, a diversified worker-owned farm in Decorah, Iowa, and works as a Land Access Navigator with Renewing the Countryside. farm in Decorah, Iowa, and works as a Land Access Navigator with Renewing the Countryside.

Kasey Armstrong: Kasey designs and facilitates collaborative, creative processes that empower social Kasey Armstrong: Kasey designs and facilitates collaborative, creative processes that empower social & environmental changemakers to grow in their work. Kasey’s heart is in food & farming. She holds an M.A. & environmental changemakers to grow in their work. Kasey’s heart is in food & farming. She holds an M.A. in Environment & Community from Antioch University Seattle, where she studied the interactions between in Environment & Community from Antioch University Seattle, where she studied the interactions between food systems, community building, and social change. food systems, community building, and social change.

Cristina Dominguez and Panel: Cristina Dominguez is Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of La Cristina Dominguez and Panel: Cristina Dominguez is Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of La Semilla Food Center in Anthony, NM. Cristina led the transition of 12 acres of fallow farmland into La Semil- Semilla Food Center in Anthony, NM. Cristina led the transition of 12 acres of fallow farmland into La Semil- la Community Farm, a thriving education and demonstration farm guided by agroecology principles. She la Community Farm, a thriving education and demonstration farm guided by agroecology principles. She holds a Certificate in Ecological Horticulture from the Farm and Garden Apprenticeship from the Center for holds a Certificate in Ecological Horticulture from the Farm and Garden Apprenticeship from the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems at the University of California- Santa Cruz. Cristina is a native Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems at the University of California- Santa Cruz. Cristina is a native of the El Paso frontera and worked for Heifer International prior to launching La Semilla Food Center. of the El Paso frontera and worked for Heifer International prior to launching La Semilla Food Center.

Regenerating the Land & Native Communities with Bison: Dawn Sherman is CEO of Native Regenerating the Land & Native Communities with Bison: Dawn Sherman is CEO of Native American Natural Foods and founding member of Tanka Resilient Agriculture Coop, a SD collective dedi- American Natural Foods and founding member of Tanka Resilient Agriculture Coop, a SD collective dedicated to returning bison to lands and improving the lives of Native Communities. Dawn will be in conversa- cated to returning bison to lands and improving the lives of Native Communities. Dawn will be in conversa- tion with Kerri McClimen, Vice President of Communications for sustainable and humane meat leader tion with Kerri McClimen, Vice President of Communications for sustainable and humane meat leader Niman Ranch, and Marilyn Noble, an award-winning, independent food and agriculture journalist and con- Niman Ranch, and Marilyn Noble, an award-winning, independent food and agriculture journalist and con- tributing writer for The Counter, a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom. tributing writer for The Counter, a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom.

Lindsay Mutegi: Lindsay is the National Stakeholder Engagement and Program Education Specialist for Lindsay Mutegi: Lindsay is the National Stakeholder Engagement and Program Education Specialist for the Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency Outreach Office. Her portfolio includes women and the Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency Outreach Office. Her portfolio includes women and Asian American and Pacific Islander farmers, urban agriculture, organic agriculture, and County Committee Asian American and Pacific Islander farmers, urban agriculture, organic agriculture, and County Committee Elections. Elections.

Sarah Campbell: Sarah is the Beginning Farmer Program Coordinator for the U.S Department of Agri- Sarah Campbell: Sarah is the Beginning Farmer Program Coordinator for the U.S Department of Agri- culture. She leads and coordinates USDA’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher efforts.. During her time at the culture. She leads and coordinates USDA’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher efforts.. During her time at the Department she has led and contributed to innovative efforts within USDA focusing on beginning farmers, Department she has led and contributed to innovative efforts within USDA focusing on beginning farmers, women in agriculture, customer service, program education and stakeholder engagement. women in agriculture, customer service, program education and stakeholder engagement.

Esther Lin: Esther is the program manager for the Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency Esther Lin: Esther is the program manager for the Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency Outreach Office. In this position, she supports the Farm Service Agency’s strategic outreach and engage- Outreach Office. In this position, she supports the Farm Service Agency’s strategic outreach and engagement efforts. Her work includes developing tools that help field employees engage new and underserved ment efforts. Her work includes developing tools that help field employees engage new and underserved audiences, and building partnerships across Federal, State, and community partners to promote equity. audiences, and building partnerships across Federal, State, and community partners to promote equity.

Amy Cook: Amy Cook is an attorney specializing in healthy food systems. She runs a legal consulting Amy Cook: Amy Cook is an attorney specializing in healthy food systems. She runs a legal consulting and professional development firm near Chicago and is founder of the Food Lawyer Network, an organiza- and professional development firm near Chicago and is founder of the Food Lawyer Network, an organization dedicated to providing pro bono or reduced cost legal services. She is incoming Chair of the Chicago tion dedicated to providing pro bono or reduced cost legal services. She is incoming Chair of the Chicago Bar Association Food Law Committee and previously served as the executive director of the Farmer Chef Bar Association Food Law Committee and previously served as the executive director of the Farmer Chef Alliance. Alliance.

Vanessa Garcìa Polanco: Vanessa is an experienced leader, researcher, speaker, writer and organiz- Vanessa Garcìa Polanco: Vanessa is an experienced leader, researcher, speaker, writer and organiz- er working with food, agriculture and sustainability stakeholders to create and strengthen sustainable and er working with food, agriculture and sustainability stakeholders to create and strengthen sustainable and just food systems and agricultural communities. just food systems and agricultural communities.

Diahann Lohr: Diahann Lohr is a marketing professional with a commitment to sustainable living. Since Diahann Lohr: Diahann Lohr is a marketing professional with a commitment to sustainable living. Since 2005 she has owned Adunate Word & Design, a unique marketing studio overlooking the farm fields of 2005 she has owned Adunate Word & Design, a unique marketing studio overlooking the farm fields of rural Watertown, Wisconsin. One of the few professionals skilled in both writing and design, Diahann helps rural Watertown, Wisconsin. One of the few professionals skilled in both writing and design, Diahann helps caring organizations grow through branding and marketing. caring organizations grow through branding and marketing.

Emily Jane Freed: Emily Jane Freed is the Logistics Manager at Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Emily Jane Freed: Emily Jane Freed is the Logistics Manager at Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County where she manages the annual distribution of 10 million pounds of food. Previously, she was Cruz County where she manages the annual distribution of 10 million pounds of food. Previously, she was the Regional Production Manager at Jacobs Farm/del Cabo, Inc. where she supervised over 500 acres of the Regional Production Manager at Jacobs Farm/del Cabo, Inc. where she supervised over 500 acres of organic culinary herbs, edible flowers, and mixed fruit and vegetable production. Emily is also the owner organic culinary herbs, edible flowers, and mixed fruit and vegetable production. Emily is also the owner and founder of Farmer Freed, a culinary salt blend company that features local, organic, and seasonal and founder of Farmer Freed, a culinary salt blend company that features local, organic, and seasonal ingredients from farms along the California Central Coast. ingredients from farms along the California Central Coast.

Debbie Fluegel: Debbie Fluegel serves as a Field Coordinator and Program Manager for Trees Forev- Debbie Fluegel: Debbie Fluegel serves as a Field Coordinator and Program Manager for Trees Forev- er, where she manages the Illinois Buffer Partnership program, the Illinois Community Forestry program er, where she manages the Illinois Buffer Partnership program, the Illinois Community Forestry program and Pollinator Habitat Conservation program in both Iowa and Illinois. Debbie formerly worked for the Illi- and Pollinator Habitat Conservation program in both Iowa and Illinois. Debbie formerly worked for the Illi- nois Department of Natural Resources as an EcoWatch Regional Coordinator, training adults and high nois Department of Natural Resources as an EcoWatch Regional Coordinator, training adults and high school students to collect biological data on streams, forests, and prairies. school students to collect biological data on streams, forests, and prairies.

Paula Westmoreland: Paula Westmoreland is a permaculture designer, agroecologist, teacher, activ- Paula Westmoreland: Paula Westmoreland is a permaculture designer, agroecologist, teacher, activ- ist, and writer who started Ecological Design in 2000. he is passionate about bringing the land back to life ist, and writer who started Ecological Design in 2000. he is passionate about bringing the land back to life laying the foundation for abundance, and finding pathways for people to reconnect to the land. Over the laying the foundation for abundance, and finding pathways for people to reconnect to the land. Over the last 20 years she has designed and helped transition hundreds of sites including regenerative agriculture last 20 years she has designed and helped transition hundreds of sites including regenerative agriculture farms, public spaces, campuses, urban farms and backyards. farms, public spaces, campuses, urban farms and backyards.

Lindsay Rebhan: Lindsay Rebhan is co-owner of Ecological Design, a woman-owned land planning Lindsay Rebhan: Lindsay Rebhan is co-owner of Ecological Design, a woman-owned land planning and design firm. A specialist in agroecology, land use, farm design and land management, Lindsay works and design firm. A specialist in agroecology, land use, farm design and land management, Lindsay works with farmers, land owners, food nonprofits, and organizations to increase the natural wealth of land over with farmers, land owners, food nonprofits, and organizations to increase the natural wealth of land over time. Lindsay co-teaches an annual Regenerative Farm Design Course at Mastodon Valley Farm and an time. Lindsay co-teaches an annual Regenerative Farm Design Course at Mastodon Valley Farm and an undergraduate course on Environmental Sustainability with HECUA at Lily Springs Farm. undergraduate course on Environmental Sustainability with HECUA at Lily Springs Farm.

Emily Newman: Emily Newman is an Organic Crop Consultant at the Rodale Institute Headquarters in Emily Newman: Emily Newman is an Organic Crop Consultant at the Rodale Institute Headquarters in Kutztown, PA. She provides one-on-one consultations and regulatory assistance to farmers as they transi- Kutztown, PA. She provides one-on-one consultations and regulatory assistance to farmers as they transition to certified organic. She has a B.S. in Environmental Resource Management, focusing in Soil Science, tion to certified organic. She has a B.S. in Environmental Resource Management, focusing in Soil Science, from Pennsylvania State University and is currently pursuing her MBA in Food and Agribusiness from Del- from Pennsylvania State University and is currently pursuing her MBA in Food and Agribusiness from Del- aware Valley University. aware Valley University.

Jo Ann Baumgartner: Jo Ann Baumgartner, E.D., Wild Farm Alliance, promotes a healthy, viable agri- Jo Ann Baumgartner: Jo Ann Baumgartner, E.D., Wild Farm Alliance, promotes a healthy, viable agriculture that protects and restores wild Nature. She is author of many farm publications on birds and biodi- culture that protects and restores wild Nature. She is author of many farm publications on birds and biodi- versity, studied avian pest control, and organically farmed for over a decade. versity, studied avian pest control, and organically farmed for over a decade.

Rachael Long: Farm Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension, Sacramento Valley, CA studies the benefits of Rachael Long: Farm Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension, Sacramento Valley, CA studies the benefits of hedgerows for attracting natural enemies and bees for enhanced pest control and pollination in adjacent hedgerows for attracting natural enemies and bees for enhanced pest control and pollination in adjacent crops. She’s a UC Berkeley and UC Davis graduate; biology, entomology. crops. She’s a UC Berkeley and UC Davis graduate; biology, entomology.